What would you do..................?

Question

If you found out your child's Preschool is teaching bits of religion without your knowledge ?? Shouldn't that be ill-legal ?? it is in public schools and this is a private preschool/daycare, but they should be required to tell the parents if they plan to include anything religious/spiritual in they're curriculum. The parents should be told before enrolling their child, it should be the parents choice if they want the child to learn about religion from their preschool, not find out months later from the child that the teach it there.

I think I will be looking for a new preschool/daycare.

What would you do ??

Answer 1

I Agree,,,,I would want to know if they had plans on teaching anything about religion, Or any other subjects. Parents should be more concerned about what is going into their child's mind,,,remember the Camera is always running... Isn't funny though that in Public Schools they teach about evolution, and its still Just a theory. Never really pr oven or dis-pr oven. But mention GOD, prayer or Creation and you could go to Jail.

Answer 2

I would probably crush the school and shoot some flame blasts.  A public shool should never do this and a private school should inform the parents.  It would be alright in a historical context, but should be presented in a way that that promotes a particular faith.

DRAGON 2008

"I BELIEVE IN U.S."

Answer 3

depending on the religion being taught, I would probably do the same thing you're doing. I would look for a new preschool.

Answer 4

As a Christian, I would be excited that my child is being taught Christian principles! It if it is indeed a private institution, their guidelines are different than those of public schools and they don't have to answer to that "separation" issue.

Answer 5

It's not illegal in a private school.  Why did it take you so long to realize this?  We all need to pay attention to our children.  Parents, find time to get in your child's classroom.  This will benefit YOU, your child and the school.  VOLUNTEER and communicate!  This is your responsibility as a parent.

Answer 6

I grew up in a semi-Christian family.  That is my mother Lutheran and father non-practicing Catholic. I was torn in a 3-way struggle when it came to school, public, private Christian or Catholic.  I ultimately went to private, first Christian till 4th and just private till 6th, 7th up was spent in public school.  

I now walk my own path and are teaching my children to do the same. I don't think it's something to get up in arms about if it's "bits of religion".  It's my feeling that children need to be aware that there are diversities throughout the world, not only with religion but people, and customs. I feel that what they are taught at home if it's reinforced it will be a part of their lives forever.  I have learned through experience that exploring other religions i.e. Christanity, Catholicism, Buddism, Zen, etc. have taught me not only differences but similarities as well, however basic. It's also taught me to respect other's beliefs as I respect my own and expect others to do the same.

I would talk to the school and find out if this is part of the curriculum, or just as you say "bits of religion".  If it's the later, I would talk with my children, explain differences between our beliefs and others. On the other hand, if they have made it a course study/part of the curriculum then I feel that at the very least I should have been informed from the start or given the choice in which to participate and would make my decision based on my meeting with them.

Answer 7

You take my answer any way you choose: A person's belief molds and shapes his/her life, actions, behavior, attitude, decisions, and whatever else makes that person, that person.

If you don't like how your child may become because of this or if this conflicts with your own beliefs, by all means get him/her out of there.

Answer 8

Simple, I would teach my child that as an American he or she has the right to choose.  Its called freedom of religion.  If you want to take your child out of that situation, guess what....It's your freedom to do so.  I personally think that your child will not understand why all the sudden I am at another daycare after he/she made all those friends.  You could lie I guess to your child, or try explaining separation of Church and State, but in the long run if you just let them be, support them, and get involved with thier life, you may find out it wasnt that bad after all.

Answer 9

I don't think you have cause to be mad, especially if the pre-school is affiliated with a church or christian based school.  That is where the research of the school by the parent comes in.

I plan on enrolling my daughter into a pre-school based out of a church and will not be offended if they teach bits of religion as it is based through a church and I am expecting it to happen.

If you don't want this done, find a public one and do your research on what their curriculum is!

Answer 10

I guess it might depend on what religious view point they are teaching, and whether it is being presented as part of a multi-cultural education unit.  Preschools are teaching tolerance and acceptance and what you're seeing may be a part of that concept.  Why don't you talk with the teacher about it and ask what is being presented and why.  You may find that it is nothing to be concerned about at all.  If this is the only aspect of this particular school that you object to, I wouldn't uproot your child.  If you do object to the material, you can discuss it with your child and explain what your religious point of view is.  There isn't anything wrong with a child getting a well-rounded education that includes spirituality.

How much time have you volunteered in the classroom?  Spending a little time, even if it's only for an hour every now and then, may give you a different perspective on what your child is experiencing.

Answer 11

Ask the teacher and director for a parent conference to discuss your concerns.  Communication is the most important tool you can use to benefit your child.  

If you are unable to resolve the issue, please give your child adequate notice that he/she will be changing schools.  Don't put the child in the middle.

Answer 12

You're going to have to be a bit specific.  

For instance, at my school for christmas we do Christmas around the world and each teacher picks a country to cover.  Then within the grade level we switch classes and the teacher will do her lesson.  Sorry but there's some things like Christmas that you simply can't take religion out of.  Christmas without the Christ is nothing.  Last year I did Spain and a tradition that they have is setting up the nativity scene in their homes... in order to explain what a nativity scene is I had to explain the story and the whole time saying that this is something that they do in Spain.